Glenn Stark
Department of Physics Wellesley College Wellesley, MA
Teaching Interests
I teach a range of courses in the Physics Department. In the last five years I've taught:
In the Fall semester of 2011/12 I will be teaching Physics 101 (see
below) and Physics 108 (see below). In the
Spring
of
2012
I
will
teach
Physics 107 and Physics 310.
PHYSICS 101 Einstein's Century
Lectures: Tuesday and Friday @ 1:30 - Room 396 Science Center.
Prerequisites: Completion of the QR Basics Skills Requirement. This course satisfies the Natural and Physical Science and the Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving distribution requirements.
In 1905, Albert Einstein published three seminal papers in the history of modern science, introducing the theory of special relativity, launching the field of quantum mechanics, and helping establish the atomic nature of matter. We will use Einstein’s contributions as a springboard for an introductory exploration of the natures of light, matter, space, and time. Physics 101 is designed for the student who may not have a strong science background but would like an introduction to the major themes of physics in the last one hundred years. In addition to lectures and demonstrations we will have readings that draw from the biographical and historical contexts in which these ideas developed. We will make use of basic high school algebra, and some trigonometry, in our work.
PHYSICS 108 Principles and Applications of Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics
Lectures: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday @ 9:50 - Room 256 Science Center
Lab Sections: Monday & Thursday 1:30 - 4:30; Tuesday 12:30 - 3:30; Wednesday 2:15 - 5:15.
Prerequisites: Physics 107 and calculus at the level of Math 116. This course satisfies the Natural Science, Mathematical Modeling, and Science Lab distribution requirements.
This second semester of classical physics concentrates on the
fundamental forces of electricity and magnetism. The electric and magnetic
forces are entirely
responsible for the structures and interactions of atoms and molecules, the
properties of all solids, and the structure and function of biological material.
Our technological society is largely dependent on the myriad applications of
the physics of electricity and magnetism, e.g., motors and generators, communications
systems, and the architecture of computers. After developing quantitative descriptions
of electricity and magnetism, we explore the relations between them, leading
us to an understanding of light as an electromagnetic phenomenon. The course
will consider both ray-optics and wave-optics descriptions of light. Laboratory
exercises will emphasize electrical circuits, electronic measuring instruments,
optics, and optical experiments.